amalgam

amalgam

(əmăl`gəm), alloyalloy[O. Fr.,=combine], substance with metallic properties that consists of a metal fused with one or more metals or nonmetals. Alloys may be a homogeneous solid solution, a heterogeneous mixture of tiny crystals, a true chemical compound, or a mixture of these......Click the link for more information. containing mercurymercuryor quicksilver[from the Roman god Mercury], metallic chemical element; symbol Hg [Lat. hydrargyrum=liquid silver]; at. no. 80; at. wt. 200.59; m.p. −38.842&degC;; b.p. 356.58&degC;; sp. gr. 13.55 at 20&degC;; valence +1 or +2......Click the link for more information.. The alloy may be liquid or solid, depending on the proportion of mercury, although all naturally occurring amalgams, i.e., those of gold and silver, are solid. Amalgams are widely used. Silver, gold, and copper amalgams are used in dentistry, and tin amalgam is used in making mirrors.

amalgam

[ə′mal·gəm]

(metallurgy)

An alloy of mercury.

(mineralogy)

A silver mercury alloy occurring in nature.

amalgam

1. an alloy of mercury with another metal, esp with silver

2. a rare white metallic mineral that consists of silver and mercury and occurs in deposits of silver and cinnabar

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